I bought this for pretty cheap at an auction and I don’t even know if there are instructions inside. I’m a pretty handy guy with time and tools and some knowledge. I’ve worked on roofs before and know the basics of many other trades.
Yes. Hopefully everything is cut to size. Cutting metal siding and roofing sucks if you don’t have the right tools. Rent them if you need. Best to build this on a concrete slab. The ground will be too uneven, throwing everything off plumb
There is a couple on YouTube in Alaska that built a large workshop with just the two of them.
I’d put as much together or at least set up by myself like setting up the parts in locations so it is easier to get the steps done, then get day laborers like others suggested. Maybe a scissor lift or boom lift. Most importantly don’t touch those metal sheets without good thick gloves or your hands will be sliced open.
I recommend to find some assistance. Even one other person can help immensely at certain points.
I have built a 2-storey shed on a metal frame alone, and it involved highly inconvenient and more than moderately dangerous stages. I would not do it again.
I managed only because I relied heavily on industrial aluminum profiles for machine building (engineer’s Lego beams).
I stupidly was hanging some ceiling drywall alone recently. I gotta say the ancient Egyptians would have respected my pulley work, more than OSHA for sure. Otherwise it would have been boring.
industrial aluminum profiles
If you don’t mind divulging, how does that stack against timber for cost at least for the time?
If you don’t mind divulging, how does that stack against timber for cost at least for the time?
It’s too expensive but practically indestructible, except in salt water. Unlike wood, it does not offer any favourable thermal properties, so you can only do unheated sheds with it. I came across a pile of it on a bankruptsy auction, which made it possible to afford its use.
If you don’t have it already, get some mechanical help for heavy lifting and holding. It’s technically possible for a single person to do a lot, but not if they crush themselves trying to hold up something that needs a machine to lift. If it’s ever a fight, you need help, whether it’s a person or a machine.
Try and post! It’ll either be a cool DIY project documentation or the fediverse Grover haus. Win win
You got this fam. Fly me in if you want a hand
This is possible but will take some time and resources for the tooling. Quite a lot of time if you are short on resources.
Years ago I assembled a small metal shed like 8x8 maybe, but this looks much larger so you should probably get help.
Boy is this exactly the sort of “go down to that parking lot and hire a couple of ‘Mexicans’ (whatever country they really come from)” scenario that Trump is ruining in the US.
Should you live somewhere else, there’s probably unskilled day workers who would hold the other end for a pittance and a lunch, and skilled day workers who would be more expensive but would have the whole thing done by lunchtime if you’d just get out of the way, dinnertime if you help.
I say crack that box, and/or look online to find the instructions. If you know how to do what’s required, hire the cheap guy who will just do what you say. Still better than drunk friends who will argue with you. And he needs the money.
This is the way
Get some additional hands, preferably with good brains, too. It’ll be hard to e.g. hold a wall frame upright while trying to screw it to the foundation.
Make sure there’s absolutely no wind. Those one-handed clamps and temporary lumber for bracing really come in really handy. You’ll probably also want to get the foundation totally complete first, so you can then get the structure all assembled in one day. A lot of metal structures are essentially membrane structures, which aren’t strong until they are complete, so you don’t want to leave it overnight partially complete.
Looking at the picture on the box, you’re really going to want some help, or a tractor with a loader, or something. It’s possible if you are supposed to assemble trusses and then lift them into place that will be really difficult by yourself.
I think it depends on the size of the building more than anything, and your ability to creatively lift things. Given the size, I think you’ll need help.
If there is sheet metal involved in the roof or siding, wear heavy pants and gloves with wrist guards and cut resistance.
Without rigging or a gantry you would likely not be able to do it yourself. Think of what you would want were you constructing this out of long thin toothpicks outside: a gust of wind would move things out of alignment and you would have to leave your current spot to go readjust, that would still happen with the thin aluminum stilts/arches/siding.
That being said if you approach it with that in mind and are prepared to make hangman-style small gantrys or arms to hold things in place while you get to the spot to secure them then you could probably do it on your own over a few days.
If you don’t have the instructions don’t try to build it from nothing, go look for the same model online and find instructions so you can tell which bolts go where, and to get an idea of what brackets, holding arms, and loose tie-downs you would have to make and use to align things while you move yourself, tools, and ladder around the structure.
You can probably figure out how, but actually performing the work entirely alone is going to suck. Even if just to move the large pieces around and hold/lift them in place; you’re going to want a friend to help out.
You can do it yourself and regret for the rest of your life that you didn’t have at least one helping hand.
You’ll regret it whilst doing it too, and you’ll have dozens of new words to call yourself!
